A common objection I hear when I invite someone to join the choir is: I'd love to, but I can't sing.
That should never stop you from singing!
In truth, most people can sing, just as most people can walk, most people can write and most people can brush their teeth. The difference I've found is one of practice and confidence.
If you were to stop walking for a year, it would be difficult to summon the confidence to get up and run to the fridge to get yourself a cold, frothy glass of milk*. Understandably so, because you wouldn't have used the requisite muscle movements and balancing skills for so long, you would be uncertain you could still do it. But you could! You could carefully - and with help - get off the couch, walk to the fridge and pour yourself the best darn glass of milk you've ever had.
Silly illustration, I know, but if you don't sing on a regular basis it can feel like that. Even if you sang in choir in school, having spent time not singing in front of people can make it intimidating. Thus the safe response is "I can't sing."
You can sing. You just need a little practice and a little help.
That's where the choir comes in!
Have you ever noticed it's easier to sing in a crowd? When there's twenty or more other voices supporting you, it's much easier to sing confidently and joyously. It's even better in a choir because you are part of a community that loves and supports you and wants to help you grow. A glorious truth of the choir is as the singer flourishes, the ensemble flourishes.
The choir is so much more than a singing organization. It's a social framework where a glorious variety of people can come together and make something beautiful that they could never make alone. And have fun while doing it!
What if I really can't sing?
It's possible, such things have happened in the past, but it's super rare. The good news is, no one has ever been hurt from trying anyway.
Consider joining the newly forming women's choir at Covenant Church. Our first rehearsal is September 7th from 7pm to 8:30pm. Follow the link above for more information.
* "glass of milk" - Milk is generally discouraged immediately before singing as it promotes phlegm production which can be frustrating to the average vocalist.